The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, known as ENDA, which would ban discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity, cleared the Senate 64 to 32.

Maine's two U.S. Senators are cheering the chamber's passage of a bill to ban job discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, known as ENDA, cleared the Senate 64 to 32. The bill would ban discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Maine Sen. Susan Collins calls the vote "historic."

"All Americans deserve a fair opportunity to pursue the American dream," Collins said on the Senate floor before the vote. "ENDA is about the fundamental right to work and the right to be judged based on one's abilities, qualifications, and talents."

Sen. Angus King says the measure is another step on the road to ensuring civil rights protections for all Americans. "Today's vote marks a step forward for human rights and a step forward for America," he says, in a statement.

But the bill faces an uphill climb in the U.S. House. Speaker John Boehner is opposed to it, and conservatives members say it will impinge on religious freedom.

Maine's two U.S. House representatives, 1st District Rep. Chellie Pingree and 2nd District Rep. Mike Michaud - both Democrats - support the legislation.